1930 Ford Model AA Popcorn Wagon up for Auction

Popcorn, get your popcorn! Classic food truck up for auction as part of the Charlie Thomas Collection.

If you liked the Coca-Cola-liveried Ford panel truck from yesterday, the annals of nostalgia have another prime example in store for you. This Cretors popcorn truck, based on a 1930 Ford Model AA, is up for auction as part of the Charlie Thomas collection out of Texas. Estimated to sell for between $45,000 and $65,000, the truck packs a 200 cubic-inch four-cylinder engine with 40 horsepower, a four-speed manual transmission and drum brakes all around.

Replacing an earlier horse-drawn popcorn carriage and the steam-powered versions that followed, this half-ton truck - first introduced in 1928 - banked on the success of movie-theater popcorn (where it still strives, of course) in purveying the snack to the public wherever they may be, from the dry-goods store to the soda fountain. This particular truck, complete with popcorn-making equipment and livery, was restored 20 years ago and fitted with an electric fridge and freezer to store ice cream as well. You know, in case people get sick of eating popcorn all the time. (Photos by tpierper@tedisgraphic.com, courtesy of RM Auctions.)